Sample Letter to Your Leaders

Write a letter to your leaders, urging them to apply for Tree City USA recognition. Below is a sample you can use for inspiration. It is helpful and more effective to edit in your own experience.

Trees make our town a special place to live. They shade our homes, our businesses, and our streets. They clean our air and water, reduce storm water run-off, increase our property values, reduce energy costs, and make our neighborhoods greener, safer, and healthier.

As mayor of our city, I know you share in understanding the value of community trees. Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation highlights our commitment to urban forestry. community improvement, and civic pride.

I urge you to help our town earn this annual, national recognition by supporting community forestry in our city. Our trees are a vital asset. In fact, our green infrastructure is likely the only part of our city’s infrastructure that actually increases in value and service over time. The Tree City USA program provides an outstanding framework for managing this important asset.

Thank you for your support of our trees as a vital community resource. I’m happy to help with Tree City USA application in any way I can.

Tree City USA is an Arbor Day Foundation program in cooperation with:

We inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier.
More about our mission and programs...